Washington State University vs Portland: Did a 49-point second half tilt Orleans Arena?

Washington State University moved to 0-1 in Conference Tournaments play after Portland went to 0-1 with a 74-68 result at 9:00 PM EDT.

First half

Washington State University put up 29 points in the first half while Portland scored 25 points at the neutral-site Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

The Cougs created 21 assists in the game and opened with a 29-25 edge after 5 ties and 6 lead changes began to shape the night.

Portland finished the game with 38 total rebounds and kept contact early while Washington State University logged 34 total rebounds.

Second half

Portland scored 49 points in the second half to swing the game after trailing by 4 as its biggest deficit.

The Cougs scored 39 points after halftime, but the Pilots’ 47 field goal percent and 86 free throw percent held up as the margin tightened.

Washington State University shot 38 field goal percent and 29 three point percent on 31 attempts while Portland hit 4 three pointers on 27 three point percent.

Portland generated 36 points in the paint, and the Cougs answered with 28 points in the paint while producing 12 fast break points.

The Cougs turned 7 total turnovers into 16 points off turnovers, and Portland finished with 10 total turnovers and 4 points off turnovers.

Final stretch

Washington State Cougars vs Portland Pilots match summary hinged on Portland’s 11 biggest lead and the Cougs’ 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio that kept possessions organized.

Jerone Morton’s 10 points and 5 assists from the previous game remained a recent reference point for Wazzu’s backcourt playmaking, and Ace Glass’s 19 points in that prior outing stood as the team’s latest top scoring line.

Eemeli Yalaho posted 11 points and 6 rebounds in the previous game, and ND Okafor added 12 points and 6 rebounds in that earlier matchup as the frontcourt baseline entering this result.

The Pilots had 5 blocks and the Cougs had 0 blocks, and that rim protection split sat alongside game-changing plays Washington State Cougars vs Portland Pilots that showed up in paint scoring and free throws.

Washington State Cougars vs Portland Pilots highlights included the Cougs’ 12 fast break points and Portland’s 18 made free throws that helped close it out.

Washington State Cougars final whistle reaction now turns to the next broadcast on ESPN+ after the tournament opener ended 74-68.

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